Tempo Spatial Data Extraction From Network Connected Devices

ABSTRACT

A computer implemented data processing system for extracting user related tempo-spatial data from a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile. The system comprising: a computer component aggregation module, wherein the cellular network comprises: a network-connected raw database, a network-connected device profiles database, a unique identifier and a location module. The aggregation module receives from the cellular network combined data exhibiting identified network-connected devices with their corresponding profiles, and aggregates in response, profile each identified network-connected device with the corresponding location code thereby creating an anonymous aggregated user related data. The system may create, using geo-statistical methods a geographic information system (GIS) layer presenting the anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/053,252 filed on May 15, 2008, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein it its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of cellular communication networks, and more particularly, to the extraction of data related to users of such networks.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Prior to setting forth the background of the related art, it may be helpful to set forth definitions of certain terms that will be used hereinafter.

The term “cellular communication network” as used herein in this application, is defined as any network based communication system that is based upon geographical partition of space into cells. Each cell is provided with at least one base station that manages the communication therein. Each cell comprises a plurality of cell sectors, wherein each sector is usually associated with a physical network end point that enables the communication with a network-connected device.

The term “user equipment” (UE) or “network-connected device” as used herein in this application, is any device that is provided with network connectivity, usually over a cellular communication network, and that is uniquely affiliated with a particular user and therefore associated with the particular user related data, or user profile. These network-connected devices may be, but are not limited to: cellular phones, personal device accessories (PDA), portable computers with wireless connectivity (WiFi, WiMax etc.), smart payment card (credit and debit card having a network identifier) and Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Traditionally, statistics methods or any large scale marketing research are considered human labor intensive, expensive and extensive, time consuming. Further limitations are that these statistics researches are made with a relative small sample, and non up-to date or non available for small granularity of time-space units. Such obstacles results in a non accurate space relate data with time stamp that highly differ from the transaction time of the database.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,742B1 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety discloses a method which utilizes characteristic feature of mobile telephone systems in which the location of the terminal is always known to the system with location area precision and that the geographical network topology is known to the network planning system. The tracing system includes three functional parts: a first part provides the mobile telephone system with the connection number of the traced terminal as an enquiry input, and in response to the input it receives information on where the subscriber's location area should be enquired for. The second functional part asks for the subscriber's location area and receives in response a location area code, which identifies the location area unambiguously. The third functional part searches the location area table for information corresponding with the subscriber's location area and attends to reporting on the results.

Currently, there is no available method for determining how many idle UE from any given network provider were admitted or not admitted and identify their provider affiliation A method is therefore needed to determine and record the number of any idle UE in each cell sector (location area) aggregate by provider code into cellular provider's segments.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a computer implemented data processing system for extracting user related tempo-spatial data from a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile. The system comprising: a computer component aggregation module, wherein the cellular network comprises: a network-connected raw database, a network-connected device profiles database, a unique identifier and a location module; and wherein the aggregation module receives from the cellular network combined data exhibiting identified network-connected devices with their corresponding profiles, and aggregates in response, profile each identified network-connected device with the corresponding location code thereby creating an anonymous aggregated user related data.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of extracting users related tempo-spatial data from a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile, the method comprising: identifying all network-connected devices that are both active and idle in each cell sector; combining the identified network-connected devices with corresponding user profile characteristics; and aggregating the combined data according to network-connected devices geographic location, thereby creating anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method of extracting users related tempo-spatial data from a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile, the method comprising: identifying network-connected devices which are both active and idle in each cell sector; combining the identified active network-connected devices with corresponding user profile characteristics; and aggregating the combined data according to network-connected devices geographic location, thereby creating anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.

These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a high level schematic block diagram of a cellular communication network in communication with the data processing system according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed high level schematic block diagram cellular communication network in communication with the data processing system according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a high level high level schematic block diagram of a cellular communication network and network-connected devices according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a chart showing the output of the system and method according to some embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a high level flowchart illustrating the method according to some embodiments of the invention.

The drawings together with the following detailed description make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 is a high level schematic block diagram of a cellular communication network in communication with the data processing system according to some embodiments of the invention. Data processing system 100 comprises a record server 110 and a data processing module 120. Data processing system 100 communicates with cellular network 40 which communicates with a plurality of user equipments (network-connected devices) 30A-30F via a plurality of base stations 10A, 10B and 20, defining cells 50, 70, and 60 respectively.

In operation, data processing system 100 combines and aggregates locations and profiles classes of the data extracted from network-connected devices 30A-30F via the network and in view of the geographic location of the cells, repeatedly over predefined time intervals. Data processing system 100 then interpolates and overlays geo-statistically and calibrates the data into tempo-spatial network-connected users masses patterns representations.

According to some embodiments of the invention, data processing system 100 enables to locate the position of a specific provider (or roaming) UE and describe it by a tracing system.

According to some embodiments of the invention, data processing system 100 aggregates any camped UE (idle or non idle) in view of geographic locations in order to create tempo-spatial UE masses patterns. Specifically, data processing system 100 is configured in associated operation with any wireless network where User Equipment (UE) communicates with a radio access network (RAN). Data processing system 100 determines and records the number of any idle or non idle UE in each cell sector (location area), aggregate the combined data by provider code into cellular provider's segments; aggregates by UE location (“cell sector”) centroid [X,Y] coordinates and segments, thereby creating anonymous aggregated masses that has geographical locations. Then, by repeating the aforementioned aggregation with predefined time intervals, data processing system 100 creates tempo-spatial data stamps. Later, data processing system 100 may create, using geostatistical methods, geographic information system (GIS) layers of the aforementioned data.

FIG. 2 is a detailed high level schematic block diagram cellular communication network in communication with the data processing system according to some embodiments of the invention. There is provided a computer implemented data processing system 100 for extracting user related tempo-spatial data from a cellular network 40 comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices. Each device is associated with a user profile. The system comprises: a computer component aggregation module 102; a computer component combining module 104; a computer component interpolation module 106; and a computer component calibration module 108. Cellular network 40 comprises: a network-connected raw database 42, a network-connected device profiles database 44, a unique identifier 46 and a location module 48.

In operation, aggregation module 102 receives from cellular network 40 combined data exhibiting identified network-connected devices with their corresponding profiles, and aggregates in response, each identified network-connected device with the corresponding location code thereby creating an anonymous aggregated user related data. Combining module 104 combines the aggregated user related data from aggregation module 102 with corresponding geographical coordinates received from location module 48. Interpolating module 106 spatially interpolates the combined aggregated user related data. Calibrating module 108 calibrates the interpolated data with exogamic statistical data.

According to some embodiments of the invention the data processing system further creates tempo-spatial related network-connected devices demographic pattern representations using spatial and temporal geo-statistics techniques. These may include maps 110 exhibiting GIS layers and the like.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the data processing system is further arranged to adjust the demographic pattern representations responsive to client's requirements.

FIG. 3 is a high level high level schematic block diagram of a cellular communication network and network-connected devices according to some embodiments of the invention. Three cells are illustrated: 310, 320, and 330. Each cell is divided into sectors: 310A-D, 320A-D, and 330A-D respectively. Each cell covers a different radius and contains different network-connected devices (although there is some overlapping). Each network-connected device may be associated with a specific profile class. In the non limiting example shown, there are three profile classes; “triangle”, “rectangle”, and “pentagon”, such that their associated network-connected device are distributed.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing the output of the system and method according to some embodiments of the invention. Table 400 showed a potential tempo-spatial stamp showing the distribution of the aforementioned profile classes; “triangle”, “rectangle”, and “pentagon” of FIG. 3 after the data has been aggregated and combined with geographical location. These tables may be used to generate GIS layers over maps.

FIG. 5 is a high level flowchart illustrating the method according to some embodiments of the invention. There is provided a method of extracting users related tempo-spatial data from a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile, the method comprising: identifying all network-connected devices which are both active and idle in each cell sector 510; combining the identified active network-connected devices with corresponding user profile characteristics 520; and aggregating the combined data according to network-connected devices geographic location, thereby creating anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations 530.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises periodically repeating the aggregating of the combined data thereby creating tempo-spatial data stamps, each exhibiting anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations;

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises estimating global phenomena in accordance with the tempo-spatial data stamps, in view of the network-connected devices ratios.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprising creating, using geo-statistical methods a geographic information system (GIS) layer presenting the anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.

Advantageously, the data processing system, computer implemented method and computer program described herein may be used in demographic analysis, marketing, cellular provider network optimization and visualization and combining cellular devices data records with GIS and statistical process.

Advantageously, the availability of up-to-date aggregated data for real units e.g. cells sectors (any geographically define hot spots) enable the creation of maps and databases related to provider's market share distribution estimation exhibiting high granularity of time-space units.

The availability of up-to-date aggregate data for real units e.g. cells sectors (any geographically define hot spots) enable the creation of maps and databases relate to network connected devices (population) distribution estimation with high granularity of time-space units.

Advantageously, use any network related system provider that can locate geographically a device and aggregate the data related to the device by tempo-spatial patterns. Examples for such alternatives can be: ATMs tempo-spatial patterns activity, Distribution of active TV's at home by place and time of the day.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof.

Suitable processors may be used to implement the data processing system, computer implemented method and computer program product. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing data files. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices.

In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “one embodiment” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions.

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples.

It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.

It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.

The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A computer implemented data processing system of extracting user related tempo-spatial data from a network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile, the system comprising: a communication network; and an aggregation module, wherein the communication network comprises: a network-connected raw database, a network-connected device profiles database, a unique identifier and a location module; and wherein the aggregation module derives from the communication network combined data exhibiting identified network-connected devices derived from the unique identifier with their corresponding profiles from the network-connected device profiles database, and aggregates in response, a particular profile for each identified network-connected device with the corresponding location code derived from the location module, thereby creating an anonymous aggregated user related data exhibiting profile and corresponding location.
 2. The data processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a combining module, and wherein the combining module combines the aggregated user related data from the aggregation module with corresponding geographical coordinates received from the location module.
 3. The data processing system according to claim 2, further comprising an interpolating module and wherein the interpolating module spatially interpolates the combined aggregated user related data.
 4. The data processing system according to claim 3, further comprising a calibrating module, and wherein the calibrating module calibrates the interpolated data with exogamic statistical data.
 5. The data processing system according to claim 4, wherein the data processing system creates tempo-spatial related network-connected devices masses pattern representations using spatial and temporal geo-statistics techniques.
 6. A method of extracting user-related tempo-spatial data from a communication network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile, the method comprising: identifying network-connected devices which are both active and idle in each cell sector; combining the identified active network-connected devices with corresponding user profile characteristics; and aggregating the combined data according to network-connected devices geographic location, thereby creating anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.
 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising periodically repeating the aggregating of the combined data thereby creating tempo-spatial data stamps, each exhibiting anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations;
 8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising estimating global phenomena in accordance with the tempo-spatial data stamps, in view of the network-connected devices ratios.
 9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising creating, using geo-statistical methods a geographic information system (GIS) layer presenting the anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.
 10. A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method of extracting users related tempo-spatial data from a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one cell sector, wherein each cell sector is in communication with a plurality of network-connected devices, and wherein each device is associated with a user profile, the method comprising: identifying all network-connected devices which are both active and idle in each cell sector; combining the identified active network-connected devices with corresponding user profile characteristics; and aggregating the combined data according to network-connected devices geographic location, thereby creating anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.
 11. The computer program product according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprising periodically repeating the aggregating of the combined data thereby creating tempo-spatial data stamps, each exhibiting anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations.
 12. The computer program product according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprising estimating global phenomena in accordance with the tempo-spatial data stamps, in view of the network-connected devices ratios.
 13. The computer program product according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprising creating, using geo-statistical methods a geographic information system (GIS) layer presenting the anonymous aggregated profiles classes associated with geographical locations. 